Gain an edge in recruiting at CCJ Symposium next week

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Updated May 21, 2018
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In addition to e-commerce and the rise of electric trucks as key topics at the annual CCJ Symposium next week, driver recruiting and retention will also be a featured topic for attendees.

The event begins Monday, May 21 and will continue through Wednesday, May 23 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina.

Dan Murray, vice president of the American Transportation Research Institute, will kick off the recruiting portion of the event with a talk titled “Driving the Next Generation.” Murray will touch on what carriers and the industry need to accomplish to recruit new drivers in light of challenges, such as unpredictable work hours, time away from home and minimum age restrictions, facing the industry.

Following Murray’s talk, a panel discussion titled “Who’s Behind the Wheel” will dive into what appeals to the next generation of truckers and what fleets can do to ensure a steady stream of talent in the future.

Panelists include Don Lefeve, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association; Mike Fisk, director of marketing, hiring and development for Roadmaster Group; and Joel Pladson, president of Star Fleet Trucking.

There will also be three breakout sessions diving into different recruiting topics. One breakout session, titled “Are Drivers Finally in the Driver Seat?” will offer insights from original research into drivers’ wants and needs. Linda Longton, senior vice president of content media brands for CCJ parent company Randall-Reilly, will host this session.

Rick Todd, president and CEO of the South Carolina Trucking Association, and Lafeve will host another breakout session on how to build a pipeline of drivers. The pair will talk about how carriers can work with CDL schools and state associations to develop programs to interest vocational- and high school-level students in a career in trucking.

Finally, Fisk will host a breakout on increasing the role of recruiting in your fleet. He will speak on what it takes to create and operate a lean and efficient recruiting department that improves driver qualifications and lowers costs per hire.

Registration for Symposium is $495 and includes all sessions, all event-included meals and the golf activity. The event is open to fleet management only. A full agenda for the event can be found here. 

During the registration process, attendees will be asked if they would like to book a room for a discounted rate of $219 per night, not including taxes and fees.